Kevin Pacey wrote on Fri, Sep 8, 2017 04:40 AM UTC:
I was sure I once saw a reference to a piece type called a Universal leaper (also known as Kraken) in wikipedia's entry on Fairy Chess Pieces, but now I don't see it referred to there presently. The idea is that the Kraken (also spelled Craken) can leap to any cell on the board (presumably except one occupied by a friendly piece).
For what it's worth, I've tried to imagine a playable variant that might use such a piece for either side's army, but so far I've failed. The closest I've come is imagining a class of variants including Krakens, with either side having an Anti-King (but no normal king) as well, i.e. a king-like piece that must be in check after every move, otherwise it is checkmated. Also a class variants involving no Anti-King NOR normal king might be possible, i.e. including Krakens, but then this wouldn't be quite proper chess variant territory. Any thoughts on all this?
I was sure I once saw a reference to a piece type called a Universal leaper (also known as Kraken) in wikipedia's entry on Fairy Chess Pieces, but now I don't see it referred to there presently. The idea is that the Kraken (also spelled Craken) can leap to any cell on the board (presumably except one occupied by a friendly piece).
For what it's worth, I've tried to imagine a playable variant that might use such a piece for either side's army, but so far I've failed. The closest I've come is imagining a class of variants including Krakens, with either side having an Anti-King (but no normal king) as well, i.e. a king-like piece that must be in check after every move, otherwise it is checkmated. Also a class variants involving no Anti-King NOR normal king might be possible, i.e. including Krakens, but then this wouldn't be quite proper chess variant territory. Any thoughts on all this?